Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) Mossel Bay collected 25 birds from Harry Giddey Park this morning, 7 November, and have said they have had to euthanise a number of birds that tested positive for a deadly disease.
GRSPCA area manager Cheri Cooke responded to questions sent by Mossel Bay Advertiser after SPCA vehicles were seen at the park this morning.
Cooke said the 25 birds collected included parrots, cockatoos, laughing doves and kakariki parakeets.
"These birds will be placed in quarantine at our SPCA until we have made the necessary arrangements for them to be taken to Birds of Eden in Plettenburg Bay, where they will spread their wings and no longer be caged," said Cooke.
"Sadly, a number of birds were found to be positive with the deadly psittacine beak and feather disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this highly contagious virus. Our veterinarian made the decision to humanely euthanise the affected birds."
The birds were collected on 7 November from Harry Giddey Park by the GRSPCA Mossel Bay.
According to an article written by veterinarian Dr Teresa Manucy on PetMD, psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), "is a viral condition responsible for damage to the beak, feathers, and nails as well as the immune system of infected birds".
Mauncy writes that PBFD is a fatal disease with no cure or specific treatment.
Cooke said the SPCA is grateful to the Mossel Bay Municipality for "giving us the green light to find forever homes for some of the other critters who were previously housed at the park".
"We have already found homes for the domestic geese, quacker ducks, chickens and spur-winged geese.
"We appeal to the public to consider opening their hearts and homes to adopt the guinea pigs and rabbits.
We also have four dwarf goats who will need to be placed on a farm with plenty of space to graze and roam. Our stringent adoption policies will apply," she said.
The Mossel Bay Municipality said, in response to questions by the Advertiser about the SPCA's visit and if and why the birds had been euthanised, that, the municipality, "further to the media statement from the office of the executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, released on Monday, 4 November, and its previous comment supplied to the media, has nothing further to add at this stage".
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